Obituary of Julia Ellen McGrew

Mrs. Julia Ellen Presnell McGrew, age 78 of Banner Elk, passed away Saturday, February 29, 2020. Ellen was born in Banner Elk, N.C. on December 6, 1941, to the late Edd and Nettie Hicks Presnell. She lived the majority of her life in the beautiful mountains of Watauga County. She attended high school at Berea Foundation School in Berea, KY. In the early 1960's, she worked at Camp Yonahlossee where she taught weaving. Ellen met and married Bill on July 14, 1962. She and Bill moved their family to southern Indiana in the early 1980's for two years where they made many life-long friends. They returned to Watauga County in 1982. Ellen was a member of Presnell's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church. She worked a few small jobs, but was primarily a homemaker, raising her four daughters. She was preceded in death this year by her husband, Billy Wayne McGrew. Also she was preceded in death by her sister Lucille McGrew and her brother Baxter Presnell. She is survived by four daughters; Billie Proctor and husband Ed of Tarboro, Melinda Whitmire and husband Scott of Easley, S.C., Reita Pearson and husband Johnny of Banner Elk, and Susie Hepler and husband Raymond of Lexington, N.C. She is also survived by grandchildren Aaron and Cameron Effoe of Lexington, KY., Silas and Joanna Whitmire of Easley, S.C., Calvin and Ellie Hepler of Lexington, N.C., and Noah Pearson of Banner Elk. She is survived by one sister, Marthana Ward of Banner Elk, and number of nieces and nephews also survive her including a very special niece, Deanne Atwood and husband Kevin. Funeral services for Mrs. Julia Ellen Presnell McGrew will be conducted Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Presnells Chapel Primitive Baptist Church. ElderJohn Jackson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Presnell Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, one hour prior to the services from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the church. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Presnell's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in c/o Elder John Jackson, 1103 Tom Jackson Road, Boone, N.C. 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the McGrew family.